The Cycling Thread

After struggling a bit a few days ago Porte now looks very good. Is joint team leaders like BMC have a good idea?

This. Froome has shown a combination of tactical nous and aggression that if it was exhibited by almost any other rider would be lauded.
Attack in yellow jersey - check
Bridge to a break, wearing yellow and ride through and off with the best all-rounder in the world - check
Attack again on a day when all he had to do was respond - check.

I'm not sure they really are, but assuming they are I actually think in a race with Team Sky in it it's workable. In about 95% of situations Porte doesn't need a team. Sky will do the work for him. You only really need a Team to chase down others, lend a bike/wheel, reposition you, or to destroy the field for you.

Sky will chase down breaks for you. They'll obliterate the field for you. The only thing they wont do is feed you or lend you a wheel, and a team can do that for 2 leaders anyway. BMC massively f**ked up the other day when he punctured, that's all.

Unfair it might be, but very very wise too.

Otherwise anyone who cares about time will be in a fight to get to the front, GC riders would have to contest sprints etc. It would be carnage, and in a potentially lethal way.

It will be, but be aware that geometry is just as important with fit. You will likely need a different size frame firstly across different styles, and then across different brands. This is why for many, getting a proper bike fit is so useful.

Even just a 10mm different in stem length or a 2 degree difference in stem angle can make a HUGE difference to bike fit. Saddle height is so adjustable that 'frame size' is IMO no where near as important as most make it out to be. Hip and back angles, and reach play the biggest roles in comfort.

when I swap bikes ....I tend just put up with the discomfort for a bit, then get used to it .....

now, I will have a nice new bike, I'm not a pro, but I am planning on doing a lot more cycling than I did for the 2013 IMUK

is it worth getting a bikefit ? seems to be about 40 quid

plus - I will still be using the cannon for work so will that f**k me up ?

fell over today at some traffic lights into a puddle, really hurt my elbow (landed on it and was a wisker away from a kerb, think that may have broke it if id hit it direct) .......then got a flatty and had to walk a few km's home......

planning a trip up winter hill next Friday - its 457m to the top , probably the highest one within cycling distance for me

Yes I understand the reasoning, just on a stage where everyone is already going flat out just to keep up there wouldn't be the same problems. Obviously it would be impossible to differentiate and decide when they should all get the same time or get different times

A good bike fit is worth getting IMO if you are going to be racking up the miles. £40 will only buy you a very basic one, and to be honest a good shop will do the same job when you buy a bike.

Mine was £150 and lasted 2.5 hours. They go through everything. I got custom footbeds moulded on my second fit.

I would be surprised if you're bike was that badly fitted given the miles you've been doing and you not complaining of pain.

Ironman UK 2017 entered!

I get this when I do more road biking than hybrid. I think with me the problem is with an over tight back. Years of OL mean that my back doesn't round at all. I look at proper cycle people and their backs are curved like s**tting dogs. You got to be careful what you wish for

Good luck for the Bolton IM guys. Mean neck of the woods.

have you found your specific bike yet andy and what you looking for ?





Its just a matter of time for me , and once I have something planted in my head, may as well set it free !!

Unfortunately free isn't a word you hear around Ironman.

indeed !!

for me , its cheaper than doing the outlaw purely as I can do it without spending time in hotels etc .... my wife struggles looking after all 3 kids when I'm out 'enjoying' myself ...... the cycle loop comes withn 400m of my house !! and if we can 'offload' Daniel then she will be able to come to Bolton to cheer me home.

all yours for just £400 +8% mystery expense !!

Not specific, but starting to whittle it down. Got a test ride on a Specialized tomorrow, so we'll see.

That extra 8% does irritate me.

Did you see Frodeno's time at Roth at the weekend! 7:35! Just crazy